ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 1, 2007 - Public librarians face many challenges. In addition to purchasing resources (often on a limited budget) and training patrons with diverse backgrounds on how to use them, they face the more fundamental challenge of creating awareness about the existence of the public library and the role it can play in meeting information needs. To address this, ProQuest CSA today launches a free Library Marketing Toolkit available to public librarians.

"This toolkit is an outgrowth of work we've done with a number of libraries and consortia to develop marketing strategies that build awareness and desire for the library's online collections," said Lynda James-Gilboe, vice president of marketing and customer support for ProQuest CSA.  "We created ads and press releases, but more importantly we helped these libraries position their resources versus the--open web.  We felt it was such valuable information that we're now sharing it with all libraries."

The Library Marketing Toolkit combines a wealth of "how-to" advice from library marketing expert, speaker, and author Beth Dempsey with print and digital marketing collateral designed to boost patron's awareness of their public libraries' online resources.  Among the program's components are:

"ProQuest CSA gave me a great opportunity to 'consult' with thousands of libraries and help them break down barriers between them and their patrons," said Dempsey.  "I think anyone who uses this kit and pays attention to its messages will get better at viewing the library from the patron's point of view.  Once you've conquered that, it's so much easier to communicate what the library has to offer."

The Library Marketing Toolkit is currently being mailed to public libraries across the United States.  The materials may also be downloaded from the ProQuest website at http://www.il.proquest.com/division/libraryadvocacy.shtml. 

 

About ProQuest
ProQuest creates specialized information resources and technologies that propel successful research, discovery, and lifelong learning. A global leader in serving libraries of all types, ProQuest offers the expertise of such respected brands as Chadwyck-Healey™, UMI®, SIRS®, and eLibrary®. With Serials Solutions®, Ulrich's™, RefWorks®, COS™, Dialog® and now Bowker® part of the ProQuest brand family, the company supports the breadth of the information community with innovative discovery solutions that power the business of books and the best in research experience.

More than a content provider or aggregator, ProQuest is an information partner, creating indispensable research solutions that connect people and information. Through innovative, user-centered discovery technology, ProQuest offers billions of pages of global content that includes historical newspapers, dissertations, and uniquely relevant resources for researchers of any age and sophistication—including content not likely to be digitized by others. Inspired by its customers and their end users, ProQuest is working toward a future that blends information accessibility with community to further enhance learning and encourage lifelong enrichment.

For more information, visit www.proquest.com or the ProQuest parent company website, www.cig.com.